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Friday, July 29, 2011

I’m talking kids here. If so,Kidlandia may be your site especially if you gravitate to unique and personalized gifts; throw in educational should you want it and you’ve got a go-to source for gifts! With step by step instructions and even a short How To video, personalizing your choice of items is super easy.

Kidlandia, The Story of You, offers fantastic wall clings, maps, door hangers, placemats, puzzles and more. There is a range of unique gifts that will pique the imagination and engage the entire family! You’ll find Disney characters ranging from the Cars characters, Toy Story, Princesses, Dora, Spongebob to Pirates and more! I of course was delighted to discover the Cars options!

Lil Duck is a HUGE HUGE Cars fan! I selected the Cars Placemat, a map of Radiator Springs, to personalize.

A brief tutorial video walked me through personalizing the placemat making it a one of a kind with Papa & Nana's Wheel Well Tunnel and Cousins Cruise Highway. It was SUPER easy and very fun and I am SO excited to give it to her. I am saving it for her birthday so she hasn’t seen it yet but I know she will just KACHOW all over the place!

It shipped Lightning fast and was well packaged. I am impressed with the quality of the product. Priced at $15, combining the ability to personalize down to the smallest detail and the thickness and durability of the mat I believe it will be money well spent.

Kidlandiahas already been added to my list of go-to sites for gifts and special occasions for those special in my life. I am ALWAYS on the hunt for unique and one of a kind items. Can't get much more unique than the ability to so acutely personalize the gifts and items Kidlandia offers its customers.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

That's the theme this week for Share A Spoon recipe swap over atThink Tank Momma's place. This oppressive heat zaps the energy and sometimes the appetite. Who wants to slave in front of a hot stove when sticking your head out the front door isn't any different than shoving it in the oven?

I seriously thought about sticking the logo for Pizza Hut and their 800 number on the post...that's easy and quick and just the sort of thing a smartass like me would do. Heh.... but this is better for you and is just as easy! Especially if you find yourself an Irishman who will run to the store and pick everything up!

Fresh Raspberries

Sliced Almonds

Bag of Romain salad

Light Raspberry Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

Leave as is and its fab....add in some grilled/baked chicken for something a little more substantial.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Do you blog anonymously? Do your friends and/or family know you write/blog/online journal whatever the heck its called these days? Does this generate unsolicited “OH YOU SHOULD TOTALLY BLOG ABOUT THIS…..”? Maybe you welcome it?! Maybe you’re weird and too perky.

I’m curious what others experience. When I first started BCC way back in once upon a time time a very select few in real life knew about my blog. Daffy isn’t on my birth certificate, shocker I’m sure. I could blog about anything and no one in real life read it. No censorship. It was great. Things change but change CAN be good and in this case it is very good because those that are in the KNOW are 100% supportive as opposed to the old ‘in the know’ people…and I’m digressing.

My boss at work is one of those people who knows about my blog. Doesn’t ever read it which is evident by the fact that I’ve talked about him numerous times and he’s never called me out on it. But he will send me novel length texts periodically that say “this just happened to me. You should totally put this in your blog”. I always roll my eyes before deleting entertain the idea at least initially. You never know when a concept will spur a post topic or even just a word…

Like Boner

Thing 1 and Thing 2 know about the blog and occasionally they will say ‘THIS IS SO BATCRAP CRAZY!” Like when they pulled me to a booth at Subway that had Boner scrawled on the wall. We giggled with hysterics, rolled our eyes (yes! I CAN act 12 when the situation calls for it! I know that may come as a surprise) and I listened to how they thought I should write about it on my blog….somehow I managed to turn it into a blog post. Surprised the hell out of me. It was one of thosehairdryer moments.

Back to my question, what do YOU do? The fake nod and smile… "heh heh… yeah! I should!” and then promptly do the mental discard. Do you file it into the ‘maybe it would work’ section of your vast memory….maybe you’re like me and you actually carry around pen and paper to jot notes (except for Boner. I didn’t write down boner. How many times do you think I can write boner in this post? See? 12…oh yeah!). *sigh* yes…I’m pretty old school that way. I have a thing for journals and cool notebooks.

Are you well known boners? Anonymous Boners?Thursday would like to know…..

We all know someone or have that someone in our lives that deservedly carries the ‘emotional bully’ label and its tempting to take the bait. SO tempting. To what end though?

One of my favorite quotes is “Don’t argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.”

Hang with me a minute… we know I have a smart mouth with an often malfunctioning filter (and if you don’t know that then I’m telling you. I have a smart mouth.) So why would I suggest keeping mum when someone texts:

“…Its YOU that is the waste. You’re a selfish, lying, self-centered bitch. Have fun whore. You found a real winner. He can have you. I’m glad that fat fucker can have you…what a fuckin headache.”

Obvioulsy there is a good chunk of the exchage missing. The whole thing was ugly and uncalled for and none of the name calling or bashing needed to happen. It had nothing to do with what was being discussed. That’s not really my focus though. My question to you is how do you, or would you handle it?

Do you respond in kind? Pointing out flaws using biting/cutting/hurtful words? (Again, I direct you to the quote I mentioned above)

Do you shrug it off knowing that this person’s MO is to respond to emotional stimulus by lashing out and cutting down others?

Refuse to engage by using active ignoring?

OR

Say something to establish your boundaries in a neutral but firm way as no one should be allowed to talk to you that way?

Throw it at me Quackers….get creative. WWBD???? What Would Bloggers Do?

Monday, July 25, 2011

Yes Guinea Pig Sr, our fish, died and I did end up telling Lil Duck he died. At first I said he was just napping and need to rest in a quieter place in the faaaaaaar back corner of the kitchen counter where she couldn't see or smell him. But hearing her say, "Guinea Pig wake. WAKE UP, PLEASE??!! I NEED to tell you something. Just quick!", really pulled my heartstrings. That and she kept asking why he looked so funny. He did sort of just explode or something.

She took it very well. Just an, "Oh. He's dead?" and with a shrug she was off. So we went together to buy a new one. She picked a Guinea Pig clone and named him the same. We did get a much better house for the dude. I really wasn't wanting to clean the old one after that fish sat floating for a week a couple of days in his water grave.

Moral of the story? If you come to the pond, I may explode you by allowing my toddler to overfeed you, but you WILL come back to life thinner with a bigger house and a totally bitchen disco strobe light in your ceiling! FINTASTIC!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Go on...read it... you know you want to. You're behind your monitor no one is going to know. If you must...clickHERE. I promise I won't call you a prude and tell you to live a little.

Oops! I did it again, I played with myself and thanks to Eden Fantasys you will want too as well. Err…uh…you I mean. Not me. Heh…I think maybe that came out wrong. Sheesh…this stuff never comes out right. God Bless Irishman for putting up with me. No wonder he wears headgear to bed.

…and then there was a very long stretch of silence on the texting waves. I’m guessing it was just the sudden drop in blood pressure and oxygen levels to the brain. He’s usually pretty quick with the rhetoric. OR I could’ve totally killed it with the Bond joke.

Either way, the Insatiable Butterfly is a must have! Priced mid-range at $34.99 it is in the affordable range and if you’re only going to have one….THIS is THE one! With 7 different settings my dearest lady friends….you wanna quickie….HOLLA… this purple passion power packed beauty can do it. (yes! I said purple. It purdy) Or hit one of the other settings and take your time. WOWSAS. And its remote powered sooooooo your partner could be the one in control if you choose. Fun times people...fun times.

And maintaining the standard I’ve found with all of Eden Fantasys products, it is of sound quality and craftsmanship. All of their products come discreetly shipped whether you’re buying lingerie, adult toys, sensual candles or shaving creams. There truly is something for everyone there!

***I was provided product for the purpose of the review but received no financial compensation for my opinion. All opinions expressed are my own and were not swayed by the receipt of product**

Friday, July 22, 2011

I reviewed a book recently that got me thinking, or rather paying closer attention to my quirks.I know, you're surprised to find I have any. It was a bit of a shocker to find out myself. I always just thought they were little habits that made me, me and my life function a little smoother. Never dreamed I’d find some of them lumped in a book with certifiably eff’d up medication-worthy people!

Evidently the fact that I can’t stand leaving the toilet lid up (not the seat…the lid) is an idiosyncrasy and book worthy. I detest walking into a bathroom and staring into the toilet. It makes me gag. I suppose also the fact that I always wash my hair first, then condition, soap, rinse, shave and lastly rinse the conditioner in that that order EVERY. SINGLE. SHOWER is a quirk. Or that I never choose the last or third stall in a public bathroom. I won’t touch the handle on the door either. GERMS! *shiver* I will not drink out of water fountains unless I’m near death. All the hangers in my closet have to hang the same way with the clothing facing the same direction. *sigh* I sort of became a little paranoid wondering if every little thing was just one step away from prescription medication or simply routine.

Then I decided it would be much more fun to dissect the lives of everyone else. Smart, right?! Thanks.

Irishman, for example, he brushes his teeth and taps his toothbrush on the sink three times. He doesn’t work without his lucky clover leaf hat and very rarely will you ever find him outside barefoot. Just doesn’t do it. Within minutes of waking up, he gets up, brushes his teeth and puts on his ball cap even if he climbs right back into bed.

Of course there are the typicals of all of us…are you a toilet paper over or under hanger? Or do you care? I’m an over hanger. I just don’t get how people can under hang. I mean really?! When you go to rip it doesn’t rip, it just keeps rolling and rolling and rolling and you’ve got this huge pile of paper mess! I will turn the roll over in someone’s bathroom so it hangs OVER while I’m in there. Take THAT you weird under paper hanger person, you!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Thing 1 turned 12 and requested a sleep over as his birthday party (cause that’s what boys do. It is NOT a slumberparty. That’s a vag/pre-boob thing. I got schooled real deng quick. Semantics. Pffft). Irishman asked if I wanted to help chaperone. Lets think about this…

9 impressionable preteen boys…games of war…setting things on fire…the possibility of painting faces/fingernails/foreheads and shaving eyebrows once they pass out?

HELL YES I WANT IN!

We got along famously a few of the manimals and myself. I seemed to attract the pyros…likes moths to the flame (heh…okay that was lame. Sorry). Especially Pyro Z. He gave me my new nickname of which I am quite fond. Its very BadassNinjaSuperhero-ish.

It went a little something like this…

Pyro Z to Irishman: “Who’s this? One of your lady friends?”

Me: “ONE of? What? You got one for each day of the week?!”

Irishman: “heh. NOOOOOOOOOOO Pyro Z. THIS is my girlfriend.”

Me: “Whatever” *eyeroll* “What day am I?”

Pyro Z: “ummm….you look like a Thursday”

Me: “But its Saturday.”

Irishman: “You’ve been extra good this week. You get two days.” *big grin*

Me: “Niiice”

Pyro Z: *wiggling eyebrows* “Ahhh…extra good? I know what that means!” *mimics sound of a headboard slapping the wall*

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Over the weekend my younger sister and I finally got our memorial tattoos in memory of our older sister who died suddenly in May 2010 at the age of 35. We chose a version of the infinity sign and the location of the foot for several reason that will keep the laughter alive in my heart every time I look down.

We followed up our inking with some fab strawberry margaritas in Older Sister's honor. It was always a great joke as to how even smelling one would make Older Sister drunk, so of course we had to have a couple. We picked up our parents and shared dinner, margaritas and then took our Mom out to a movie.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Throw a city girl in the back forty; pack Irishman, Ducky and 10 and 12 year old boys in the car for 4 hours and there is BOUND to be quotable moments. Enter Hillbilly Boatin Bonanza Part DUCE.(part ONE here)

Speaking of Duce...spending three days with no indoor plumbing creates quite the boulder butt syndrome and can make a body cranky justsayin. Which leads me to what should've been my FIRST indication as to the type of situation I was headed into. Before we left town Friday morning I sent a text to Irishman...."Did you pack toilet paper?"

Irishman: Just thought we'd use napkins or leaves haaaaa!

Me: "Um...I'm NOT using leaves. I WILL end up grabbing ones that nest fire ants." As it was I refused to pee at night and during the day held it until I absolutely could hold it no longer. Then it took SO long to finish peeing that I just KNEW something was going to bite my bare ass as it hung out. That or I'd fall over while trying to swat at the horseflies to prevent them from landing on me. THANK GOD Irishman forgot his Flip camera!

If you've never road tripped with a 12 year old, they tend to say things like "Oh! Cool! I just touched one of my tonsils" and there was a LOT of farting and 'Safety' calling. Naturally I'd just yell 'Safety' randomly even though I hadn't farted. And at one point I was running through the list of what I'd packed because I just KNEW I'd forgotten something.

Arrival at the campsite didn't slow things down. Waking up Saturday morning we heard all about the excitement the night before after Team Irishman turned in. Seems Team T &A stayed up...well the "A" did anyway. As the story had it, about 2 am two sets of eyes came exploring across the creek."A" jumped up in search of his gun which of course he couldn't find. We were all about be a part of some training...camp raiding. Fabulous! "A" shared that Irishman had camp guard for Saturday night until 2am. Evidently all the bears, deer and coyotes only raid til 2am. Sure...makes sense, right?! <---eyeroll

Despite being dubbed a "Vacation just like the Amish only hopped up on Acid" the rest went fairly smoothly...a lot of "MOM! My butt wont stop itching!" and "oooh! we have fire on a stick!" And then river float ended with the quote of the century, "I've got a beer in my hand, my wiener is floatin in the currant...I'm doin just fine."

...Judy isn't exaggerating one bit! You'll roll your eyes and chuckle and some will have you laughing out loud to cover the fact that your dumbass does the exact same thing and seeing it in print reveals it for the ridiculous antic it is. But no worries fellow Quackers! I promise if you read it cover to cover you WILL find PLENTY of examples of truly medication-worthy people that far exceed any little quirk that may be tucked into the corners of your daily activities or not ya freak.

I could add a number of pages to the bathroom behavior myself! I just don't do public toileting very well. I kick or elbow stall doors open and if I can prevent my fingers from actually touching anything I will. I refuse to poop in public. Just won't happen. And the people who have toothbrush quirks?! Irishman has toothbrush quirks. He ALWAYS taps it three times on the sink when he's done brushing. Cracks me up!

I'm very much looking forward to reading the other two books Judy Reiser has written.

For more information about any of Judy's books or to participate in her toilet paper poll (which way to DO you hang?) visit her website at http://www.judyreiser.com.

All of the books mentioned here can be purchased through Amazon.com, bn.com and Apple iTunes

***I was provided product for the purpose of the review but received no financial compensation for my opinion. All opinions expressed are my own and were not swayed by the receipt of product**

Thursday, July 14, 2011

It's Home Sweet Home week for Share A Spoon this week which screams comfort food to me! I found this recipe, an awesome version of pineapple upside down cake, attached to a Paula Deen candle I bought recently. Not only does it rock but it is super easy and something that even Lil Duck can help prepare. Family fun for everyone!

Grease 10 cups of a muffin tin. Strain the can of crushed pineapple, save juice for later. Combine the pineapple, sugar, and butter, and mix well. Divide the pineapple mixture among the muffin cups. Place a cherry in the center of each muffin cup, making sure cherry hits bottom of cup. Place 1 biscuit in each cup on top of sugar and pineapple mixture. Spoon 1 teaspoon reserved pineapple juice over each biscuit. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden. Cool for 2 minutes. Invert the pan onto a plate to release the biscuits. Serve warm.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Snakes, Spiders,Bears and Coyotes.....OH MY! But I survived and had a blast! Shot 250+ photos and breathed in the serenity that truly roughing it affords. And by roughing it...I MEAN roughing it. Two narrow dirt ruts led us down a path. I kept waiting for it to open up to a campsite and then we just stopped and everyone started jumping out. I'm all "....um.....noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo". You KNOW you're roughing it when you have to machette a path from the truck down to the creek to set up camp. I'm not sure which zapped my energy, the suffocating heat/humidity or the energy it took to override the desire to chant MAMA MAMA MAMA MAMA and suck my thumb.

That shiny spot up there is the truck. I'm standing at the bottom of the narrow path machetted to get down to the sandbar we camped on. However such choices afforded THIS view from our tent...

We camped on the grounds of an Abbey which required special permission from the Monks for the women to be in camp. This meant there was nary a soul in site the entire trip! We even had the river to ourselves! It was just Ducky and Irishman and Team T an A...along with 5 boys.

We set into the river early Saturday morning for 6 hours of cave exploring, waterfall climbing,

Monday, July 11, 2011

I've found a new love! PRIOR TO THIS....my jewelry box was lacking sparkle. PRIOR TO THIS....my wardrobe was lacking a brilliant conversation piece. PRIOR TO THIS...my quest for unique, hand made, very affordable coupled with quality craftsmanship centered around a strong desire to foster the spirit of being different, was unfulfilled.

Made from upcycled materials including wine corks! (which is what initially drew me) This vintage beauty compliments SO many pieces in my closet! And I have so many more pieces I love! The beauty of her work translates all the way down to how she ships. Even her business card is fabulous!

Sara Prior specializes in handmade jewelry from West Virginia. She finds her inspiration through mother Earth, West Virginia, and upcycling. You'll find her Etsy shop proudly stating "I try to stay true to my "just be you" spirit and see the beauty in being different. FREESHIP for free shipping!"

You'll find necklaces, earrings, rings, a special Wine Collection and other hand made unique gifts. You'll love her creativity and the way that beauty compliments your own! She is generously offering a BCC reader EITHER the necklace picturedbelowOR a $15 credit to their choice of items from her current collections. The choice is yours!!!

Mandatory First Entry:Visit Prior To Thisand tell me another item you would like to have for yourself or give to someone else.

Extra Entries:(pick and choose or do them all…if it says +2 that indicates you should leave TWO separate comments for each one. +3….THREE separate entries/comments etc)

Friday, July 8, 2011

I am on the road today and typing this via my crackberry never fear I'm not the one driving right now! I have embarked on the 1st annual Hillbilly Boatin Bonanza which promises to provide much fodder!!

In the mean time, I am SUPER honored to be the Blog Friend Feature with Shell at Things I Can't Say.

And since I can not figure out how to set alink... go to www.thingsicantsay-shell.blogspot.com

Cook the tortellini in boiling salted water until done (to package directions). Drain and rinse with cold water. Add the ingredients into a large bowl and toss with salad dressing.

And as with most pasta salads you can add or delete ingredients that don't suit your tastebuds. Many people (ahem...Irishman) don't care for black olives even though it really adds to flavor. It can certainly be omitted if you choose. The great thing about pasta salads is that it really is a 'whatever you have on hand' sort of dish. Toss in pepperoni or cucumbers....for more of a Greek flare, prepare with Feta crumbles and kalamata olives with a balsamic vinaigrette. Get creative!

Head on over to Think Tank Momma for more Share A Spoon Recipes featuring Pasta Salads

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Typically you see the push for safe sex in the form of prophylactics, diaphrams, brown bags for the ugly ones and other various forms of birth control. We know that sex is cleaner when you wrap your weiner. Naw' mean?

But what about the other parts of you? Sex can be dangerous aside from the diseases you could catch andleeches you may aquire. I hear your wheels cranking. You're wondering where the heck Ducky may be going with this. I'm saying that safe sex is sometimes about more than just going with if you can't shield your rocket leave it in your pocket. Don't be a fool, vulcanize your tool...or If you go into heat, package your meat.

Sadly, for Irishman he truly DOES have to worry about more than just muzzling his snake. I tend to be a wee bit clumsy which sometimes translates to personal bodily injuries for both myself and those around me. Really REALLY puts a damper on the whole bedroom vixen role so I don't even try. I'd knock myself out cold on the bedpost or get tangled in the sheets and break an ankle. Kinda hard to do sexy when you bust out your front tooth because you lost your balance and face planted into the headboard, no?!I'm lucky he loves me and doesn't mind fending off my accidental attacks. In one particularly circus like session I somehow kicked him right in the side of the head. He's such a good man. He didn't even say a word...just showed up to bed the next night like this

And of course it was not an isolated incident. Somehow not too long after the swift kick to the head I managed to poke my own eye. Damn if it didn't hurt but didn't kill the mood RAWR. So in addition to Irishman showing up to bed in his fullbody MMA/Krav Maga sparring gear, I now am adding my own body protection. Enter the swim goggles...proven to prevent eye pokage of ANY kind during the horizontal tango. And with that adjustable elastic band they won't fall off!

Quackers, if you're having sex you must take responsibility for yourself. It isn't only the boymanchild man's responsibility to take precautionary measures. Just so you know, it is still entirely possible to poke your own eye while using a blindfold. Really should go the goggle/snorkle route to ensure your balls are totally protected. I'm here to learn the lessons the hard way then share my knowledge.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Talked a bit about Stocks recently and what mine looked like. Gave a little insight as to from where *I* came. It really shouldn’t come to any surprise then that with each day that adds to
Lil Duck’s age so too does she increase her Sass quotient.

She doesn’t officially turn three until the end of the summer yet to talk with her….ahhh…well…its an adventure. Most times she has me in stitches and I really should be handing down some sort of reprimand. But how can I? What is it they say about your children being 10 times worse than you were as a child? I may not make it through this sober!

While getting ready for a bath the other night…it went something like this:

“Lil Duck, go ahead and take your shoes and pants off. I’ll help with your shirt. Lets get ready for your bath.”

“Why don’t you take your face off, Mom!”

Hmmm….yeah…..okay….. I had to laugh, she was giggling too.

She was having an especially difficult time following directions one afternoon so I took her distractions away which amounted to me removing the toys in her possession. While doing this I said, “Lil Duck. You obviously can not hear me with these in your hands. Now, turn your ears on and listen to me please.”

Flipping her hair back from her ears, “But MOM! I do not have buttons on my ears!”

Or then there was the day she was goofing off in the parking lot at the grocery store and once in the car I gave her a stern talking to about following rules in a parking lot for safety and how important it is. The ENTIRE time I am speaking to her she is mocking and mimicking my facial expressions. I still can NOT believe this child is NOT EVEN THREE! HOLY HELL I AM IN TROUBLE!

Of course she does super sweet and funny stuff too! My most favorite as of late is when she is sitting on her potty chair, legs crossed at the ankles and singing Zippity Do Da.

What Tyrannical Three’s stories do you have to share? I have a feeling there will be MANY more to come from the pond…

After perusing their website, I selected the Medium Hot BBQ sauce and the Southwestern Dry Rub then salivated while I waited. They were super quick to ship and then I was on Irishman to fire up the grill and pull some meat from the freezer (he has a whole farm in there! Seriously).

The BBQ sauce was thick and coated well. It was sweet on the front end and finished with a fantastic kick of heat and just the right amount of it! The balance of flavor was expertly executed and vegetables perfectly roasted before blended with the peppers making for full, rich, popping flavor that you will absolutely be satisfied with. Even Lil Duck was asking for more. Even at an almost 3 yrs old, she’s a kid that loves the kick of spice!

Irishman concurred…yes! I enlisted help on this one. He gave it two thumbs up as well moving it to the front of his fridge to the ‘first grab’ section. This marks it as highly recommended as he is the Master Chef in our parts. He offered that with many Medium Hot sauces your first taste experience is usually a mouth full of peppers and it detracts from the sauce. NOT the case with Jake's. Again, you get the smooth sweet blend on the front end and the sassy finishing heat on back end. A fantastic find and addition to our grilling/BBQ season!

The Southwest Rub was just as much of a success. We used it on steak and it worked well. I think it would be a smashing success on salmon or chicken and thrown on the grill! I’m guessing you can’t go wrong with any of the products from Jake’s BBQ Sauce!

***I was provided product for the purpose of the review but received no financial compensation for my opinion. All opinions expressed are my own and were not swayed by the receipt of product**